USDM Ford Fiesta revealed.

[MBrown]

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/2011-ford-fiesta-gets-another-early-reveal/

A lot of people are whining about the grill on the sedan version but It doesn't look that bad to me.

 

[PricklyPete]

I don't know why they had to change the grill at all...and I don't know why anyone would want to buy a sedan version of such a small car...but I'm excited that Ford is bringing this car over as it is a highly competitive product in this category of car.

 

[Arkaign]

Well, it's a subcompact, and Kia and others are selling planety of 4-door and 5-door subcompacts. The grille is their version of brand-identity, like it or not. I'm not a big fan myself, but I can see why they are doing it. The faux vents are goofy, but not as bad as they were on the current Focus (which thankfully they dropped the stupid things entirely IIRC).

With the economy languishing and fuel prices unlikely ever to go below current levels, I expect these will sell very well, along with the new GM subcompacts/compacts. With the dollar falling, I think Toyota and Honda will have their work cut out for them. Hard to meet the same price point when your currency exchange starts to get out of whack.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

The sedan looks huge...

is it the same wheelbase and a trick of perspective?

 

[Arkaign]

Yep, same wheelbase, but the sedan's trunk sticks out a bit more, giving a longer vehicle length (and a big visual difference).

 

[CptCrunch]

Nice, looks good

 

[Heller]

msrp$

 

[angry hampster]

Sedan looks outstanding. Should be a great Yaris competitor.

 

[CurseTheSky]

The sedan looks good, other than the grill. I'm not really a fan of hatchbacks.

I wonder what this will do to the sale of the Focus. I realize they're in a different size class, but generally I find people shopping for a Focus want a car that's small and cheap. This is presumably both.

 

[angry hampster]

The sedan looks good, other than the grill. I'm not really a fan of hatchbacks.

I wonder what this will do to the sale of the Focus. I realize they're in a different size class, but generally I find people shopping for a Focus want a car that's small and cheap. This is presumably both.

People still buy the Civic even though the fit exists. Same goes for the Corolla and Yaris.

 

[Arkaign]

msrp$

I'd expect the range to be $12k-$16k, which should make it a pretty solid competitor in the range. Ford is moving the Focus upmarket with the 2011 model, so this will take over entry-level duties from the Focus, while offering a subcompact for the first time in a long time (since that terrible 'Festiva' and the horrendous 'Expire').

 

[Bignate603]

I'd expect the range to be $12k-$16k, which should make it a pretty solid competitor in the range. Ford is moving the Focus upmarket with the 2011 model, so this will take over entry-level duties from the Focus, while offering a subcompact for the first time in a long time (since that terrible 'Festiva' and the horrendous 'Expire').

It's not a bad strategy. People are starting to be willing to pay a bit more for small cars if the quality is high. If they can improve the Focus it could do very well.

 

[Arkaign]

It's not a bad strategy. People are starting to be willing to pay a bit more for small cars if the quality is high. If they can improve the Focus it could do very well.

The Focus has been doing extraordinarily well since the '08 reboot, but there has been a definitive weak area in Ford's lineup, as the Focus was without a doubt just an entry-level economy car.

In the current lineup ('10 models), you have this for their entire compact/midsize market :

Focus, 2.0L 140hp models starting at ~$16k (Sedan or Coupe)
Fusion, 2.5L 175hp models starting at ~$19k (Sedan only for all Fusions)
Fusion, 3.0L 240hp models starting at $24k (AWD Optional)
Fusion, 3.5L 263hp models starting at $26k (AWD Optional)

With the new subcompact Fiesta slotting in at new lower prices (hopefully), and with enough options and configurations able to bump all the way up into the new Focus selections for '11, the selection will be a lot more fleshed out.

 

[PricklyPete]

The Focus has been doing extraordinarily well since the '08 reboot, but there has been a definitive weak area in Ford's lineup, as the Focus was without a doubt just an entry-level economy car.

In the current lineup ('10 models), you have this for their entire compact/midsize market :

Focus, 2.0L 140hp models starting at ~$16k (Sedan or Coupe)
Fusion, 2.5L 175hp models starting at ~$19k (Sedan only for all Fusions)
Fusion, 3.0L 240hp models starting at $24k (AWD Optional)
Fusion, 3.5L 263hp models starting at $26k (AWD Optional)

With the new subcompact Fiesta slotting in at new lower prices (hopefully), and with enough options and configurations able to bump all the way up into the new Focus selections for '11, the selection will be a lot more fleshed out.

I definitely would welcome a more upmarket Focus. Definitely enjoyed the Focus rentals I would drive over in Europe when working over there. Very competitive with the VW Golf.

 

[kornphlake]

The exterior is pretty sharp looking from most angles, but the photos I've seen of the interior are IN MY OPINION bizarre for the sake of being so, yada, yada, European design...

 

[arrfep]

Me want RS 3-door.

 

[ravana]

Me want RS 3-door.

+1

 

[Arkaign]

I definitely would welcome a more upmarket Focus. Definitely enjoyed the Focus rentals I would drive over in Europe when working over there. Very competitive with the VW Golf.

Well you're going to be happy, because that's exactly what we're getting, although it seems doubtful that we'll get a Focus RS (300hp), although a Focus ST seems likely (~220hp). The new global Focus is on the newest C-series platform, which strangely enough means the Focus will leapfrog the Mazda3 in chassis gen (the current Mazda3 is on C1e IIRC).

Some of the crazier options will probably be dropped for US production, as you can configure a Focus in the UK well into the $40k-$50k area. Even with VAT considered, that's a helluva lot of $, and I don't think the masses over here are ready to pay that much for a Ford compact, hell I don't think any brand compact can sell a lot of cars in that price range for the compact segment.

The *only* thing that makes me a bit sad though, is that the new Focus will see the end of the era of the brilliant MK1/1.5 Foci, and the ~2550lb weight. The new ones will tip over 3000lbs just like the Mazda3, C30, and Euro Focus of '04+. People complained about the US Focus holding over the original MK1 chassis underpinnings, but really, I'd rather drive a ~140hp 2.0L on 2550lb than a 115hp 1.6L on 3000lbs+ (most Euro Focus sales are in this segment) that costs more.

For the new US Focus to be successful, they *must* use that awesome new 2.5L motor that's in the '10+ Fusion. 175hp w/3000lbs would be just fine. If they go cheap, they're going to lose a lot of the fun factor.

 

[exdeath]

Only thing I care about; can you stuff an entire Terminator powertrain into it like the Focus?

 

[Arkaign]

Only thing I care about; can you stuff an entire Terminator powertrain into it like the Focus?

I'm sure it's possible, but probably a whole helluva lot more difficult this time around. I also liked the Windsor 351 RWD Focus conversion

 

[exdeath]

I'm sure it's possible, but probably a whole helluva lot more difficult this time around. I also liked the Windsor 351 RWD Focus conversion

Hmm that's probably worlds easier since the heads aren't 3 1/2 miles wide. Did that one have power brakes?

 

[Arkaign]

Hmm that's probably worlds easier since the heads aren't 3 1/2 miles wide. Did that one have power brakes?

No clue, but it looks like ridiculous fun :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzpc_Km41PE&feature=related

 

[PricklyPete]

Well you're going to be happy, because that's exactly what we're getting, although it seems doubtful that we'll get a Focus RS (300hp), although a Focus ST seems likely (~220hp). The new global Focus is on the newest C-series platform, which strangely enough means the Focus will leapfrog the Mazda3 in chassis gen (the current Mazda3 is on C1e IIRC).

Some of the crazier options will probably be dropped for US production, as you can configure a Focus in the UK well into the $40k-$50k area. Even with VAT considered, that's a helluva lot of $, and I don't think the masses over here are ready to pay that much for a Ford compact, hell I don't think any brand compact can sell a lot of cars in that price range for the compact segment.

The *only* thing that makes me a bit sad though, is that the new Focus will see the end of the era of the brilliant MK1/1.5 Foci, and the ~2550lb weight. The new ones will tip over 3000lbs just like the Mazda3, C30, and Euro Focus of '04+. People complained about the US Focus holding over the original MK1 chassis underpinnings, but really, I'd rather drive a ~140hp 2.0L on 2550lb than a 115hp 1.6L on 3000lbs+ (most Euro Focus sales are in this segment) that costs more.

For the new US Focus to be successful, they *must* use that awesome new 2.5L motor that's in the '10+ Fusion. 175hp w/3000lbs would be just fine. If they go cheap, they're going to lose a lot of the fun factor.

Yeah, all of the Focus's I drove in Europe were of the diesel variety...and mostly on English B roads. Still a lot of fun and a reasonably roomy little vehicle.

I totally feel your desire for lighter cars...I would LOVE to have a MX-5 for a weekend car.

 

[Q]

Sedan looks a lot like the Focus IMO

 

[canadageek]

god damnit ford, why do you have to ruin everything with that stupid safety razor grill?